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New RAs opt to transfer dorms

Aaron Steiner | Thursday, April 12, 2007

Juniors Ashley Weiss and Cassie Saucedo are looking forward to getting section assignments and meeting their residents as they prepare to become resident assistants next year – not to mention that they must transfer to a new dorm.

Weiss and Saucedo are two of a number of juniors who will transfer to new residence halls next year in order to accept positions as resident assistants (RAs) next year – a move that Weiss and Saucedo said they are both looking forward to, despite the fact that they will be leaving their current residence halls.

According to Sister Mary Lynch, rector of McGlinn Hall, these transfers usually are due to the numbers of applicants.

“For the most part, it has to do with how many apply and how many are needed,” Lynch said.

Applicants can choose on their application whether or not they are willing to transfer to another hall to become an RA.

Bill Kirk, associate vice president of Residence Life, said in a Feb. 27 Observer article that many applicants indicate they wish to be considered for other halls.

While some of these transfers may have to do with lack of applicants, as Lynch described, Kirk said creating a cohesive hall staff is also a factor.

“Even if there are enough applicants from a particular hall, RAs are chosen from outside dorms to create a team that best fits the hall,” Kirk said in the article.

Kirk could not be reached for further comment Wednesday evening.

Weiss and Saucedo, who will both be moving to Pangborn Hall next fall from Breen-Philips Hall and McGlinn Hall, respectively, were transferred due to a lack of applicants, Pangborn Rector Kuukua Yomekpe said.

Yomekpe said initially enough juniors applied, but some dropped out of the application process halfway through, causing them to draw from other dorms.

Yomekpe said Pangborn Hall has brought in students from other dorms to serve as RAs in the past, and it has never caused a problem.

“Most of the girls – we’ve drawn from Badin [Hall] and other dorms in the past – are very fired up about becoming Phoxes,” Yomekpe said.

Lynch agreed that bringing in students from other dorms does not tend to affect the dorm environment, something she credits to the application and interview process.

For Weiss and Saucedo, moving to a new dorm won’t be an issue. In fact, they’re excited about the opportunity to meet new people and experience life in a different dorm.

“It’s great because you get to experience everything new – hall staff, residents, traditions,” Weiss said, stating that she’s looking forward to the “change in pace.”

Weiss also said her desire to become an RA “definitely superseded my need to stay in the dorm,” and she knew when she applied she would take a position outside of Breen-Philips Hall if one was offered.

Saucedo said she “mindlessly” checked the box on the application stating she would be willing to transfer to another dorm, and didn’t think it would be an issue.

“At first I didn’t think I would have to [move out of McGlinn],” Saucedo said. But since accepting the position at Pangborn Hall, she is pleased to be going there and is happy she made the decision to do so.

“I’ve been to dorm mass and dorm council, and the girls are very welcoming and open,” Saucedo said. She doesn’t foresee any problems with the transfer.

Weiss also said they will bring new perspective to the dorm, as well as an unbiased view of all aspects of life in Pangborn Hall.

“I’ll have no preconceived notions about the dorm, or about any of the residents,” she said.

Both are excited to receive their section assignments and meet the residents they will serve.

Yomekpe said they will hold a dinner before the end of the year to meet new hall staff, which will be an opportunity for the transferred RAs to meet some of the residents.